Injuries and old friends
Ianto sat on the edge of the SUV’s boot, trying to regain his bearings as the sun shined over the village full of death and cannibalism. Much of the previous night, he had been restrained and tenderised. He was sure he had a concussion from the number of blows he had taken to the head during the course of events. He had refused help from the paramedics after Owen had brushed him off.
So there he sat, trying to regain his bearings and adding this experience to the already long list of hellish experiences he’d suffered in his short life. He supposed this wouldn’t endear him to his teammates, apart from maybe Tosh, as his actions were to try and save her, even if it ultimately failed.
Jack was busy talking to the police about what had been happening in the village, and Owen was preparing the SUV for the return journey to Cardiff. Tosh was talking to the SOCO officer in charge about how far out they may need to search for the remains. And Gwen? Gwen was ignoring her own injury as well as everything and everyone, pushing past Jack and Owen as they finished their previous tasks and turned to talk to each other.
Soon enough though, they were on the road back to Cardiff. Owen was complaining about how carefully Jack was driving, even if it was so he didn’t aggravate anyone’s injuries. Owen and Gwen were dropped at the hospital; at Owen’s insistence. Tosh and Ianto had been ignored in that case. Though Jack did ask Tosh if she was sure she didn’t need medical attention when he dropped her outside her apartment. She assured him that she was okay and didn’t have as many injuries as Gwen or Ianto.
This comment led to Jack insisting on walking Ianto to his apartment and making sure he wasn’t lying about his injuries. Ianto had lied. He was covered in bruises, and he flinched at the lightest of touch. Jack was sure he had a concussion, but it was likely mild enough to let him rest if he needed to. He was also sure that Owen wouldn't come even if Jack ordered him to.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice Ianto take out a coin from his pocket and rub it almost methodically. However, he did notice when the doorbell rang. Ianto beat him to the door to answer it. On the other side of the door stood a tall and wiry blonde woman who had an odd air to her.
She frowned, seeing the state of Ianto. “Yan? What happened”
“Cannibals, disappearances in the countryside, ended up getting caught. But I’ve had worse, probably better you come in,” Ianto told her before moving to one side to let her in “oh, and this is my boss Jack, Jack this is Luna, one of my old classmates.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Luna. I should get back and fill out the paperwork on this case. Call if you need anything. Oh, and take as long as you need before returning to work. I’m going to tell Gwen and tosh the same. Me and Owen can manage for a while” Jack gave Luna a bright smile, but his eyes were full of concern for Ianto. Before giving ianto a soft smile as he spoke, he straightened his coat. “I also plan on reprimanding Owen for his lack of care towards you after what happened.”
Upon Jack's departure, Ianto deflated slightly before closing the door to his flat and leading Luna to his living room. “I left my wand behind because we were going to be in close quarters. So I couldn’t use it when I was taken captive/ how long ‘til the others get here, do you think?” He was still scared and needed people who cared around him.
“Not long. Your boss seems like he cares about you a lot. He’s also not normal. There’s something about his eyes; they look haunted and much older than he appears. They were also full of concern that I think that that concern was for you.”
“That would be the second time he has been worried about me. The first time was after Lisa a couple months fac, before the fae case. If you guys weren’t here, then he was. He had me clean up that night because it was my mess but also in order to keep an eye on me and make sure I wasn’t going to hurt myself in the immediate aftermath before suspending me for four weeks.” Ianto admits to his friend.
“That’s a good thing, though. He actually cares and is trying to help. He doesn’t want you to get hurt. It’s more than can be said for this Owen guy.” Luna smiled. “You deserve the same stability at work as well as at work. Do you want me to get a healer for you? You look like hell.”
“Can you get Susan? I don’t want too many people to know about this. Just the DA family and my family. Torchwood has the same rules on secrecy. I don’t think any of them really know about the wizarding world. Jack might because he has these unbelievable stories that it wouldn’t surprise me if he does know about the magical world. Owen’s name is vaguely familiar, but I doubt it.”
“Is jack more understanding than the woman?”
“Yvonne? Yeah. I mean, she was determined to recreate the muggle British empire and was willing to use witches and wizards to do so. Jack wants to help people , human or alien. Well, unless they’re cybermen or Torchwood One, you know that.”
“But he’s also capable of change because even though you were Torchwood One, he cares about you, right? Despite everything, he brought you home and made sure you were okay. Only leaving when another person arrived so you wouldn’t be alone.”
“You’re right, Luna. he does care. Dad would have just made a joke about him having a crush on me or something, and then tad would have told him off and told me to be careful with my heart. God, I miss them. They’d probably be off in that village to hurt those people by now.”
“Sirius and Remus were good people and parents. Even if you didn’t get much time with them, you knew them like they had actually raised you.”
“They didn’t get a chance to, but they wanted to make up for not being there for me back then. It wasn’t their fault. At least tad got in contact when I was 11.”
“They weren’t given a chance. Sirius was falsely imprisoned, and Remus was suffering under strict and harsh anti-werewolf laws, so he had to give you up. They cared a great deal about you. It was obvious when you looked at the tree of you together. You all seemed to light up like nothing bad had ever happened. I could see their fear that night in the Department of Mysteries, at you being there. Remus was torn about who to run to, you or Harry, when Sirius fell through the veil. It wasn’t an easy choice for him. His son or nephew, both who loved Sirius.” Luna told him, thinking back to that battle.
Before Ianto could say anything since he knew this all, another knock came at his door. This time when it was opened, the entire adult part of the Weasley family was on the other side of the door. He was immediately engulfed in a tight bone-crushing hug from Fleur, though she let go quickly enough when he winced.
“Oh, Yan, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you, little star.”
“It’s okay, Fleur, you didn’t know. It’s going to be a squeeze but come in. I'll make some tea and coffee.”
“No, you are injured. Let me do that. My coffee isn’t as good as your own, but it will suffice for now. You should be resting. Now go rest while I sort it all out.” she told him, determined to get him to rest and not push himself.
Ianto nodded and let them into his flat, letting fleur make a beeline for the kitchen as he did so. He then led the others into the living room. Upon his return to the living room, Luna hugged him gently and then disapparated to retrieve Susan Bones so she could look over Ianto properly.